Recommended Commentaries

  • John Murray (NICNT = New International Commentary on the New Testament, 1965) - superb treatment by an evangelical & Reformed systematician who has absorbed Vos.
  • C.E.B. Cranfield, esp. the longer 2 vol. version in the International Critical Commentary Series (1979).
  • J.D.G. Dunn (WBC = Word Biblical Commentary, 1988).
  • Barth (Oxford, 1933) - OK, OK, don't get excited. Sure, this book is the keynote address of the neo-orthodox movement. But it is also a clarion call away from the rosy, romantic humanism of 19th century liberalism back to the world of the Bible, specifically to the world of Paul. A heady and vibrant read.
  • Käsemann (Eerdmans, 1980)- again, huge problems theologically. Käsemann was one of Bultmann's best students. Nonetheless, there are penetrating insights into the logic of Romans here.